A man from Ignacio in southwestern Colorado was arrested in connection to the killing of his wife, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced Monday.

The CBI said 44-year-old Damon Mathews is believed to have killed 47-year-old Rachel Mathews, known by her maiden name Ream, in their home in the 100 block of Romero Avenue on New Year’s Eve.

Mathews was released from jail only six days prior to the killing for a domestic violence charge against Ream, the Durango Herald reported. This was the second time he had been charged for assaulting Ream.

After the killing, Mathews fled to the Denver metro area in Ream’s car. On Jan. 1, while in Littleton, he got into a traffic accident in the 5000 block of South Kipling Street, the CBI said.

Mathews was then arrested by deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the arrest affidavit, Mathews beat and shot Ream in the head after they got into an argument while celebrating New Year’s. Mathews was living in the back house at Ream’s home, in violation of a protection order against him.

Mathews has a history of domestic violence, having also abused his ex-wife.

She told the Durango Herald, “He was so dangerous, he did the same things to me … I always knew he’d never be stopped until he murdered a woman.”

Mathews is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Detention Facility on suspicion of first-degree murder. He will be moved to La Plata County in the coming days, the CBI said.

A fundraiser has been started to help cover the funeral costs for Ream. It is available at gofundme.com.

The CBI assisted the Ignacio Police Department with the investigation and processing of the crime scene. The Sixth Judicial District Attorney’s Office is also involved in the investigation.